20 Francs (International Olympic Committee) – France
Circulating commemorative coins
Commemoration: 100th Anniversary of the International Olympic Committee
France
Context
Year: 1994
Issuer: France 
Period:
(since 1958)
Currency:
(1960—2001)
Demonetization: 17 February 2005
Total mintage: 1,850
Material
Diameter: 27 mm
Weight: 9 g
Thickness: 2.23 mm
Shape: Round
Composition: Trimetallic (Copper-aluminium-nickel center, Nickel inner ring, Copper-aluminium-nickel outer ring)
Technique: Milled
Alignment: Coin alignment
flip
References
KM: #Click to copy to clipboard1036
Numista: #26
Value
Exchange value: 20 FRF
Inflation-adjusted value: 33.86 FRF
Obverse
Description:
A left-profile bust of Pierre de Coubertin, encircled by his name and dates, alongside an Olympic torch and the monogram "RF".
Inscription:
PIERRE DE COUBERTIN 1863-1937
RF
1994
RF
1994
Script: Latin
Engraver: Atelier de gravure
Reverse
Description:
The Sorbonne, site of the IOC's 1894 founding, is shown with the Olympic rings, dates "1894 1994", and the motto "FREEDOM - EQUALITY - FRATERNITY". Mint marks differ from the standard Paris Mint (cornucopia), engraver general Pierre Rodier (bee), and workshop (foil AGMM).
Inscription:
LIBERTÉ·ÉGALITÉ·FRATERNITÉ
20F
1894
1994
20F
1894
1994
Translation:
LIBERTY EQUALITY FRATERNITY
20F
1894
1994
20F
1894
1994
Script: Latin
Language: French
Engraver: Atelier de gravure
Edge
Segmented reeding (5 parts reeded)
Categories
| Building |
| Sport> Summer Olympic Games |
| Sport> Winter Olympic Games |
Mints
| Name | Mark |
|---|---|
| Monnaie de Paris | — |
Mintings
| Year | Mint Mark | Mintage | Quality | Collection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | — | 1,850 |
Historical background
In 1994, France's currency situation was defined by its pivotal role within the European Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM), the system designed to stabilize currencies ahead of the planned single currency. The French franc was a cornerstone of this mechanism, maintaining a strong and stable parity against the German Deutsche Mark within narrow fluctuation bands. This stability, known as the "franc fort" (strong franc) policy, was a central tenet of French economic strategy, prioritizing low inflation and credibility with Germany's Bundesbank to ensure France's place at the heart of the future Economic and Monetary Union (EMU).
This commitment, however, came at a significant economic cost. To defend the franc's high peg, the Banque de France was compelled to maintain high interest rates throughout the early 1990s, even as the country grappled with a severe recession and rising unemployment. This monetary tightness constrained growth and fueled public discontent, creating a tension between the demands of European integration and domestic economic pressures. The situation was further strained by the memory of the 1992-1993 ERM crises, which had forced several currencies, including the British pound, to devalue or exit the system, though the franc had ultimately weathered the storms.
By 1994, the immediate turbulence had subsided, and the franc's stability was seen as a triumph, solidifying France's path toward the euro. The year was characterized by a cautious optimism as the country met the Maastricht Treaty convergence criteria on inflation and interest rates, though it struggled with high public debt and deficit levels. Thus, the currency background was one of hard-won stability achieved through austerity, setting the stage for the final push to qualify for the single currency, which would ultimately replace the franc in 1999.
This commitment, however, came at a significant economic cost. To defend the franc's high peg, the Banque de France was compelled to maintain high interest rates throughout the early 1990s, even as the country grappled with a severe recession and rising unemployment. This monetary tightness constrained growth and fueled public discontent, creating a tension between the demands of European integration and domestic economic pressures. The situation was further strained by the memory of the 1992-1993 ERM crises, which had forced several currencies, including the British pound, to devalue or exit the system, though the franc had ultimately weathered the storms.
By 1994, the immediate turbulence had subsided, and the franc's stability was seen as a triumph, solidifying France's path toward the euro. The year was characterized by a cautious optimism as the country met the Maastricht Treaty convergence criteria on inflation and interest rates, though it struggled with high public debt and deficit levels. Thus, the currency background was one of hard-won stability achieved through austerity, setting the stage for the final push to qualify for the single currency, which would ultimately replace the franc in 1999.
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